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Differences in the Usage and Purpose of Tonality between the 18th and 20th Centuries
This site introduces unknown Emanuel Bach (C. P. E. Bach).
Differences in the Usage and Purpose of Tonality between the 18th Century, Especially Emanuel Bach, and the 20th Century
Asked ChatGPT4o: "Please explain how the 12 major and 12 minor keys were used in the 18th century."
In 18th-century music, the 12 major and 12 minor keys were selectively used depending on the context and purpose. During this period, tonality was considered an important means of expressing emotions and atmosphere in music, and each key was thought to have its own character. Below is an explanation of the general usage of major and minor keys. [This is a summary of multiple responses from ChatGPT4o.]
1. Usage of Major Keys
Major keys were used to express brightness, stability, joy, and celebratory moods.
- C Major (C-dur): Purity, simplicity, solemnity. Often used in sacred and festive music. Example: J.S. Bachʼs *The Well-Tempered Clavier*, Book I, Prelude and Fugue No. 1, BWV 846; Mozartʼs *Symphony No. 41 "Jupiter" K. 551*
- G Major (G-dur): Calmness, elegance, pastoral atmosphere. Suitable for chamber music and dances. Example: Bachʼs *Partita No. 3 for Solo Violin BWV 1006*; Mozartʼs *Eine kleine Nachtmusik K. 525*
- D Major (D-dur): Brilliance, victory, glory. Frequently used in festive works with trumpets and timpani. Example: Bachʼs *Orchestral Suite No. 3 BWV 1068* (Air); Haydnʼs *Symphony No. 104 "London"*
- A Major (A-dur): Warmth, gentle joy. Used in lyrical movements of concertos and sonatas. Example: Mozartʼs *Piano Concerto No. 23 K. 488*; Beethovenʼs *Violin Sonata No. 9 "Kreutzer"*
- F Major (F-dur): Serenity, calmness, beauty of nature. Used in pastoral scenes and moderate sections of sacred music. Example: Beethovenʼs *Symphony No. 6 "Pastoral"*; Bachʼs *Cantata No. 208* ("Sheep May Safely Graze")
- B-flat Major (B♭-dur): Grandeur, dignity. Suitable for sacred music and majestic orchestral works. Example: Haydnʼs *Symphony No. 102*; Mozartʼs *Piano Concerto No. 27 K. 595*
2. Usage of Minor Keys
Minor keys were used to express sorrow, suffering, anxiety, and introspective emotions.
- A Minor (a-moll): Simple sadness, inner suffering. Frequently used in Baroque instrumental works and empfindsamer Stil compositions. Example: Bachʼs *Partita No. 2 for Solo Violin BWV 1004*; Mozartʼs *Piano Sonata No. 8 K. 310*
- E Minor (e-moll): Melancholy, deep sorrow. Suitable for emotional solo works and arias. Example: Bachʼs *St. Matthew Passion BWV 244* ("Erbarme dich, mein Gott"); Mozartʼs *Symphony No. 40 K. 550*
3. Background of Key Selection
Composers in the 18th century, influenced by *Affektenlehre* and *Empfindsamer Stil*, composed music by carefully selecting keys based on their inherent character and resonance to match the content and setting of the piece.
J.S. Bachʼs *The Well-Tempered Clavier* intentionally explored all 12 major and 12 minor keys, playing a crucial role in expanding the possibilities of tonality.
Asked ChatGPT4o: "In the 20th century, were these keys used differently from the 18th century?"
In 20th-century music, keys (major and minor) were used in ways significantly different from the 18th century due to the collapse of tonality and the emergence of new musical languages. Below is an explanation of these differences.
1. Changes in the Role of Tonality
18th Century (Baroque and Classical Periods)
- Major and minor keys were clearly characterized and strictly chosen for emotional expression.
- Tonal music based on functional harmony (tonic, dominant, subdominant relationships) was dominant.
20th Century (Modern and Contemporary Music)
- Tonality became ambiguous with the emergence of atonality and polytonality.
- Major and minor keys lost their fixed emotional connotations and were often treated as elements of sound color.
4. Conclusion
In Emanuel Bachʼs music, the interplay of major and minor was a structural means to create emotional depth and drama. In contrast, 20th-century music saw the ambiguity and collapse of tonality, with major and minor used more freely and diversely as tools of expression. This evolution allowed music to express more complex and multifaceted emotions.